Dressing for the dog days of August can be a battle, and any urban warrior brave enough to slog through a summer in Washington deserves a dose of cool.

Luckily, a few new fall accessories can perk up a lackluster summer wardrobe.

Wedge-heeled boots will be everywhere once the weather turns cool; a peep-toe leather version can be worn with Bermuda shorts and flowy maxi-dresses until then. Meanwhile, a short version of a tall riding boot will instantly update your best jeans-and-T-shirt ensemble.

A colorful evening clutch or statement jewelry hand-beaded in a tribal print both manage to feel very sunset-in-Nairobi, as does a wide belt with a Serengeti animal on the buckle. Other fall accessories you can wear now to meet the late-summer heat head-on: chunky bangles, cotton scarves woven with ethnic patterns, python-print sneakers, and metal necklaces that fit like a gladiator’s armor.